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Mount Lebanon curriculum teams recommend new K–5 math adoption and K–12 social studies alignment
Summary
District teams presented year-one findings from a six-year curriculum review cycle: recommend a K–12 social studies program with a separate 3–5 resource, pilot selection of new K–5 math materials in fall 2026, and vertical alignment work for 6–12 ELA to strengthen reading stamina and writing progression.
Mount Lebanon School District instructional teams presented year-one findings of a district-wide curriculum review on May 11, 2026, recommending changes for social studies, elementary math and 6–12 English language arts.
Brook Webb, principal of Washington Elementary, introduced the K–12 social studies review and said the district convened teachers from all seven elementary schools plus library, gifted and special-education staff to pilot materials because the existing multi-year resource contract was expiring. "The pilot team found the current program meets state standards and provides strong primary-source materials, but a one-size-fits-all program did not meet both primary and intermediate needs," Jason Phillips, elementary social-studies facilitator and Washington fifth-grade teacher, told the board. The social-studies team recommended adopting a K–12 social studies program and a separate grades 3–5 resource, paired with professional development.
Middle- and high-school presenters recommended improved vertical alignment. Tyler Blooming (middle school) flagged inconsistency in seventh-grade content and urged a timeline review so students see continuous progression from sixth grade through high school. Julian Schelic (high school) emphasized rigor across honors and AP classes and suggested a focus on writing progression, media literacy and expanded inquiry- and project-based learning.
On elementary math, Ron Kitsk (Lincoln principal) and Rose Davidson summarized the math committee’s work and noted the district's K–5 'Investigations 3' resource remains popular with teachers (staff engagement reported at over 80 percent) but the publisher will not update that program. District leaders said they will meet next week with five publishing vendors and pilot candidate programs in semester one of 2026–27, aiming to recommend a single core resource and updated pacing for adoption budgeting in the 2027–28 cycle.
Dawn Davenport, ELA department chair, said the 6–12 ELA team will prioritize structural literacy, reading stamina and digital-literacy instruction while continuing novel-based instruction and varied text types. The administration described the curriculum review as a six-year cycle, with this year's work focused on research, needs assessment and a SWOT analysis to produce actionable next steps.
District leaders said pilot results and vendor evaluations will inform future adoption recommendations to the board and be included in upcoming budget preparations.
